Turmeric

Turmeric plant (Curcuma longa)

Turmeric is a  herbaceous perennial plant which is cultivated in India, China, and several other Asian as well as African countries with hot and humid seasons. Turmeric plant has a short pseudo-stem, large oblong leaves and pale-yellow flowers which do not bear fruits. Its main stem is modified to underground rhizomes which are ovate, oblong, or pyriform and have a pale-yellow, reddish yellow, or brownish orange color.

Botanical classification of Turmeric:

Kingdom: Plantae (Plants)

Division: Magnoliophyta/ Angiosperms (Flowering plants)

Order: Zingiberales

Family: Zingiberaceae (Ginger family)

Genus: Curcuma (curcuma, a perennial rhizomatous herb, ~3ft in height)

Species: Longa (the most utilized of ~100 species of the genus Curcuma)

Turmeric’s names in the different parts of the world

Turmeric is a word which is derived from “terra merita”, which in Latin means “meritorious earth”. “Curcuma” (Latin) is derived from an Arabic word “Kourkoum”, which means “saffron”. In India, Turmeric is commonly called as Haldi and its other names in different languages are:

• Chinese (China): Chiang/Kiang Husang, Yuchin
• English (Most Western Countries): Turmeric, Indian saffron
• French (France & Others): Curcuma, Saffron de India, Souchet long, Souchet odorant, Teri-merit
• German (Germany): Glbwurzel, Kurkuma
• Hamsa (Arabian Countries): Ganjamau
• Hebrew (Israel): Kurkum
• Hindi (India): Haldi, Haldar, Halja
• Japanese (Japan): Ukon
• Ilocano (Philippines): Culiago, cuming
• Italian: Curcuma
• Malaya (Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand.): Watkam, wang keong, kunyit
• Persian (Iran): Darzardi, Zharachobabi, Tardhubah
• Portugese (Portugal and Brazil): Acafrao da india
• Sanskrit: Ameshta, Bahula, Bhadra, Dhirgharaja, Gandaplashika, Gauri, Gharshani, Haldi, Haridra, Hemaragini, Hridvilasini, Jayanti, Jwarantika, Kanchani, Kaveri, Krimighna, Kshamada, Kshapa, Lakshmi, Mangalaprada, Mangalya, Mehagni, Nisha, Nishakhya, Pavitra, Pinja, Pita, Patavaluka, Pitika, Rabhangavasa, Ranjani, Ratrimanika, Shiva, Shobhana, Shyama, Soughagouhaya, Suvarna, Suvarnavarna, Tamasini, Umavara, Vauragi, Varnadatri, Varnini, Vishagni, Yamini, Yohitapriya, Yuvati
• Spanish (Spain, South America): Curcuma

Also see >Turmeric Tea Recipe Video:

References: 

1. Ravindran et al. 2007. Turmeric. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press
2. Gopinath H, Karthikeyan K. 2018. Turmeric: A condiment, cosmetic and cure. Indian Journal of Dermatology Venereology and Leprology.  84(1):16-21.

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